Malachi 3.16-18
Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored His name. “They will be mine,” says the LORD Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
As we've studied the justice of God, we've so far only spoken on the punishment of God. Certainly the book of Malachi demonstrates to us the severity and seriousness of God's punishment, and it has taught us the purposes for God's punishment. But that is not the whole of justice. Justice also involves rewards for those who obey. We see such rewards in Malachi. The responders of God's word in Malachi, likely postexilic Jews returning from Babylon under Persian rule, saw well the benefits of living holy and blameless before God. Malachi tells us that “those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard.” They brought “[a] scroll of remembrance in His presence” because they “honored His name.” We have to understand that their actions here solved the problem God was scolding His children about—their general state of spiritual apathy. The Jews were spiritually dead. They had been offering half-hearted sacrifices and falling into immorality. Yet when we see them turn back to God, we see a wonderful lesson that we as Christians can definitely still apply today: God rewards the righteous.
When we are righteous, God rewards us. “[We] will be [His]”, the LORD says, “in the day when [He] make[s] up [His] treasured possession.” When God's children live in a state of holiness and a loving, honest commitment to Him, He treasures us. He is close to us like He never would be if we were living in our sins. This is an excellent example of one way God rewards the righteous—He brings His children into fellowship with Him.
God also says that He “will spare [the Jews], just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.” That is another way God rewards the righteous—He spares us. How does He spare us? In the days of the Old Testament, God often meant literally sparing the lives of the righteous. He would “spare them from the sword.” But as Christians we know that such is often not the case. The righteous are not always spared their lives; indeed, the righteous very often lose their lives for the sake of the Gospel. Rather, God spares the righteous spiritually. He gives us peace and rest and comfort in Him. The Holy Spirit can work within us to accomplish the will of God. And, oh, how good it feels to serve the Lord! When we remain in righteousness, God rewards us with the rich blessings of His Kingdom. We will serve Him in a spirit of gladness and peace and, most of all, love.
Beloved, God rewards the righteous, but the question is this: are you living a righteous, holy life? If so, look out for the blessings of God. If not, please reconcile with Jesus. Begin living a holy and righteous life that glorifies God and not yourself. When we do so, the rewards will be many. They may not be physical rewards, but the rewards will definitely come our way! Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
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